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Latest media releases

December 2016

UBSis announcing today that it has combined most of its Wealth Managementbusinesses in Europe into one legal entity, UBS Europe SE. The new Europeansubsidiary is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany and will operate in Europeanmarkets through a network of branches. The choice of a societas Europaea as thecorporate structure for the entity provides UBS with strategic flexibility.

The measures for both small- and medium-sized industrial enterprises still lie below the long-term averages. However, the SME barometer rose again to -0.16 points in October, while the barometer for large companies fell marginally to -0.24 points. Among the service providers, large companies are also under greater pressure.

November 2016

In October, the UBS consumption indicator rose from 1.47 to 1.49 points. Positive developments in the automobile market and robust domestic tourism continue to support private consumption. However, the slump in the retail sector prevented a stronger rise of the indicator.

Over the last three decades, the middle classes in many industrial countries have scarcely made any progress in terms of real earnings. They see themselves as relative losers from globalization. This has contributed to political polarization and the rise of populist politicians. In Switzerland, by contrast, several factors such as the strong Swiss franc and the dual education system have led to a comparatively balanced income development.

October 2016

The UBS consumption indicator rose from 1.53 to 1.59 points in September. The positive trend continues and points to further growth in private consumption for the fourth quarter. The driving forces are new vehicle registrations, which are at a record level, and the upsurge in domestic tourism in August.

For 2017, UBS expects an average nominal wage increase of 0.6 percent in Switzerland. Ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges are still causing companies difficulties and holding wages down. Coupled with a forecast annual inflation rate of 0.4 percent for 2017, average real wages may virtually stagnate, having risen by an average of 1.2 percent per year over the last eight years.

September 2016

The UBS Consumption Indicator rose to 1.53 points in August from 1.45. This development was fueled by resurging tourism and above-average car sales for the month. However, the situation on the labor market casts a shadow on this rise.